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Tekotte gets opportunity in center field

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Tekotte's RBI triple 0:42

3/14/13: Blake Tekotte ropes a triple down the right-field line to score Tyler Flowers, putting the White Sox on the board in the third

By Scott Merkin
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MLB.com |

CHICAGO -- Blake Tekotte became the third outfielder to start in Dayan Viciedo's absence, with the left fielder going on the disabled list Saturday with a strained left oblique. Jordan Danks has made two starts, Dewayne Wise has made one and two games have been postponed.

"Just get him out there and see what he can do," Ventura said of Tekotte, adding that he doesn't like players to sit too long without playing after coming up from the Minors. "You just mix and match and if one of them gets hot, you probably run with it. It's like with Gordon [Beckham] out. You mix and match and you have the ability to do that unless somebody forces you not to."

Wise, 35, has been playing professionally since 1997 and has held a utility role for pretty much the entirety of 11 big league seasons. He knows how to get ready with limited at-bats, even though it's not an easy task.

"It's really tough, especially with the beginning of the season with the weather," Wise said. "I knew coming back over here this year that I probably wouldn't get the playing time I did last year. You know, I'm a veteran guy. I know how to prepare myself to stay ready when I get the opportunity.

"But it's tough. You have to go out and prepare every day so when you do get in there, you give it the best you can."

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.